Means and methods for packaging surgical gloves



March 13, 1962 s. J. STANLEY 3,024,900

MEANS AND METHODS FOR PACKAGING SURGICAL GLOVES Filed April 22, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. STANL EY JAY STANL EY ATTORNEY March 13, 1962 s. J. STANLEY 3,024,900

MEANS AND METHODS FOR PACKAGING SURGICAL GLOVES Filed April 22, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. STANLEY JAY STANLEY ATTORNEY March 13, 1962 s. J. STANLEY 3,024,900

MEANS AND METHODS FOR PACKAGING SURGICAL GLOVES Filed April 22, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. F I 9 STANLEY JAY STANLEY ATTORNEY atent ht'ice 3,024,969 Patented Mar. 13, 1962 York Filed Apr. 22, 1960, Ser. N 24,152 20 Claims. (Cl. 206-7) This invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvements in the packaging of sterilized articles and, more particularly, to an improved protective package for maintaining sterilized articles in a contamination-free condition between the time of sterilization and the time of actual use.

At the present time, surgical gloves are sterilized prior to use and it is customary, prior to sterilization and as a part of the sterilizing technique, to enclose a pair of gloves in a wrapper or envelope made of muslin, or other similar piece of cloth, so that the gloves and cloth will form a unitary packet which can be taken from the sterilizer to the operating room in a convenient manner and without danger of contamination. If the wrapper does not isolate one glove from the other during sterilization, the heat of sterilization frequently causes contacting portions of the surgical gloves to become fused together. Also, the removal of the gloves from the standard type of muslin glove envelope has presented a problem, since an ungloved hand often comes in contact wtih the edge of the envelope during removal of the first glove, and, there is danger of accidentally contaminating the second glove as a result of such contact.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide novel means and methods for packaging surgical gloves prior to sterilization which will permit essentially thorough quick sterilization and will protect the sterilized gloves against contamination during subsequent storage and handling.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide means and methods for packaging surgical gloves which retains the individual gloves isolated from the other glove and still affords optimum accessibility for immediate use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means and methods for packaging surgical gloves which are simple and economical in the sense that the packaging material is comparatively low in original cost and can be reused many times, thereby eliminating waste.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide means and methods for packaging surgical gloves which will support each glove in such a manner that the glove can be conveniently donned by the scrub nurse or surgeon without accidental and inadvertent contamination.

it is a further object of the present invention to pro vide a package of the type stated in which the surgical gloves are supported in such a manner that the second glove of the pair may be fully protected from accidental contamination while the first glove is being removed and put on by the scrub nurse or surgeon.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sterile glove package constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sterile glove package wtih the outer wrapper partially removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reverse side of the sterile glove package with the outer wrapper completely removed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sterile glove package in partially opened position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sterile glove package in fully opened position;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary perspective views show ing the cuff-holding mechanism forming a part of the present invention as provided on the outer panel and center panel respectively;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 8;

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a sterile glove package comprising an outer rectangular wrapper 1 formed from a relatively heavy sheet 2 of parchmentized paper and which is wrapped over upon itself and preferably secured with a strip of pressure-sensitive tape 3, such as masking tape or the like. The paper used to make the wrapper is a tightly laid paper-stock which freely permits the passage of steam under pressure when in a sterilizer, but does not permit the passage of air under normal atmospheric conditions, thereby offering a highly efiicient barrier to bacterial and viral contami nation while, at the same time, permitting very efiicient access of sterilizing steam to the material enclosed there- Provided for disposition within the sheet 2 is a folding packet 4 formed of a relatively thin, but densely compact, sheet 5 of white polished cardboard which is initially of oblong rectangular form and is subdivided lengthwise by scorelines 6, 7, 8, into four hingedly connected panels 9, 10, 11, 12, the panel 9 being relatively narrow. Along its upper margin, the sheet 5 is mitercut to provide upwardly extending tabs 13, 14, which are, in effect, integral continuations of the panels l1, 12. The tabs 13, 14, are folded reversely down upon opposite faces of the panels 11, 12, so that each of the tabs 13, 14, will be upwardly presented when the tab 12 is folded over upon the tab 11, for purposes presently more fully appearing. Along their lower transverse margins, the tabs 13, 14, are integrally folded upwardly to provide secondary upturned flaps 15, 16. The tabs 13, 14, are sized for substantial projection downwardly when folded over upon the panels 11, 12, whereby the flaps 15, 16, will have adequate length to be inserted beneath the down-turned edges of the cuffs c of surgical gloves g, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The tabs 13, 14, are also die-cut internally from their marginal edges in the provision of secondary flaps 17, 18, which are inserted into the mouth of the glove cuffs c, as best seen in FIG. 8. Preferably, though not necessarily, the flaps 17, 18, are at least as wide at the marginal edges of the panels 11, 12, as the adiacent edges of the flaps i5, 16. The panel 14 is provided with two trans verse slits 19, 20, each having centrally located arcuate cut'outs 21, 22, the slits 19, 20, being adapted for retentively receiving the corner of a small rectangular envelope or packet 23 of surgical glove powder. This packet is made of any suitable steam impervious waterproof material so that the powderv will not be adversely affected by the humidity or temperature when the packet A is sterilized in a suitable autoclave or other sterilizing unit. Along its lower corner, the panel 12 is die-cut in the provision of a finger tab 24 which is folded back onto the panel 12 so as to project outwardly therefrom with the tabs 14, 16, 18. The panels 11 and 12 are substantially equal in width and the panel 10 is slightly wider than the panels 11 and 12, whereby when the panels 11, 12, overlie, the panel it) may be folded over the panels 1 1, 12, and held in such position by the narrow panel 9, as best seen in FIG. 9.

In use, the rubber gloves g are washed in any conventional manner and the cuffs turned down to the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The folding packet 4 is opened up flat and one of the gloves laid upon the panel 11. The cuff c is then slipped over the flap l5 and the secondary flap 17 is then inserted in the open portion of the glove so that the glove g is firmly and securely held in the manner shown in FIG. 5. The panel 12 is then folded over fiatwise upon the panel 11 about the scorelines 8 to the position shown in FIG. 4. Thereupon, the cuff c of the remaining glove g is slipped over the flap 16 and the secondary flap 18 is then tucked into the open portion of said glove, as best seen in FIG. 4. Subsequently, the panel 11 is folded over about the scoreline 7 and the panel 9 is lapped over the back of the panel 11 to form the completed packet. The packet 4 is then placed upon the sheet 2 in the off-center position as shown in FIG. 2, the dotted line d being intended to show the centerline of the sheet 2 so that the initial off-center position will be more readily apparent. The corner flaps f f F, of the sheet 2 are then folded over upon the packet 4 in any suitable order and the packet 4 is rolled up in the sheet 2 and the tape 3 is applied to form the completely enclosed packet A, as shown in FIG. 1. It has been found to be most convenient to treat the tape 3 with an indicator compound capable of turning color when subjected to steam sterilization. Such indicator compounds are well known and are, therefore, not specifically described herein.

After the packet A has been sterilized, it may be stored until time of use. During the storage period, the gloves g will be effectively and completely protected against contamination due to the wrapper 1. When the packet A is to be opened, the tape 3 is pulled back and the sheet 2 is unrolled so that the packet 4 is exposed, as shown in FIG. 2. The packet A is then unfolded to the position shown in FIG. 3 so that the surgeon can conveniently remove the package of power 23 and powder his hands, the conventional practice prior to donning the gloves. It will, of course, be evident that the above may be accomplished while the gloves are still fully protected from inadvertent contact with the ungloved hands. Next, the panel 9 is manually gripped and the panels 9, 10, are folded back to the position shown in FIG. 4, exposing only one glove g. The use of the panel 9 effectively prevents any accidental contamination of the first glove g during the manipulation of the panels 9, It). The scrub nurse or surgeon can then lift out the first glove g and place the glove on the desired hand, gripping it by the exposed surfaces of the turned-back cuff c and thereby avoiding any contact with the sterile outer surfaces there of. Then the finger tab 24 is grasped and the panel 12 is turned back, exposing the second glove g and the panel 11, as best seen in FIG. 5. Since one hand is now fully gloved, the second glove g can be handled by the gloved hand without danger of contamination. As the choice of the particular glove to be donned first in preparing for surgery is a matter of personal choice on the part of the surgeons, it should be readily apparent that the gloves g may be placed in the packet 4 prior to sterilization for any desired order of donning.

The packet 4 and sheet 2 can then be laid aside and returned to the sterilizer room for reuse. It has been found that the materials used in the packet 4 and sheet 2 are quite durable and will last through many successive sterilizations. Of course, the materials are relatively inexpensive and can also be discarded if economy is not important to the hospital administration.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the means and methods for packing surgical gloves may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, flap means hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and main panels for holding the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove securely thereon, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, and covering means for holding the main panels in folded relation.

2. The surgical glove package of claim 1 being enclosingly disposed within an outer wrapper formed of parchmentized paper.

3. The surgical glove package of claim 1 being enclosingly disposed within an outer wrapper formed of steam permeable parchmentized paper.

4. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, flap means hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and main panels for holding the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove securely thereon, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, said tabs being located along a common margin of the folder, and covering means for holding the main panels in folded relation.

5. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove, means for coacting with said first flap to retain the cuff thereon, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, and covering means for holding the main panels in folded relation.

6. The surgical glove package of claim 5 being enolosingly disposed within an outer wrapper formed of parchmentized paper.

7. The surgical glove package of claim 5 being enclosingly disposed within an outer wrapper formed of steam permeable parchmentized paper.

8. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels whch are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a first flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said fiap being sized for snugly engaging the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove, a second flap integrally formed on each of the tabs and projecting toward the common margin of the tab and the first flap, said second flap being hingedly connected to the tab between the hinged connection of the tab and main panel and the end of the first flap so that when the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove is placed on the first flap and the second flap is thereafter placed within the hollow of the glove, the glove becomes securely but removably attached thereto, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, and covering means for holding the main panels in folded relation.

9. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and includ ing two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a first flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove, a second flap integrally formed on each of the tabs and projecting toward the common margin of the tab and the first flap, said second flap being hingedly connected to the tab between the hinged connection of the tab and main panel and the end of the first flap and the hinged connection between the second fiap and the tab being at least as wide as the end of the first fiap so that when the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove is placed on the first flap and the second flap is thereafter placed within the hollow of the glove, the glove becomes securely but removably attached thereto, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, and covering means for holding the main panels in folded relation.

10. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, flap means hingedly connected to each of the tabs and operatively associated therewith for holding the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove securely thereon, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, a cover panel hingedly connected to one of the main panels and adapted to fold over the main panels when folded, and means for holding the cover panel in overlying rel-ation with respect to the folded main panels.

11. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, flap means hingedly connected to each of the tabs and operatively associated therewith for holding the down-turned cuff of aa-nrgical glove securely thereon, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, said tabs being located along a common margin of the folder, a cover panel hingedly connected to one of the main panels and adapted to fold over the main panels when folded, and means for holding the cover panel in overlying relation with respect to the folded main panels.

12. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the downturned cuff of a surgical glove, means for coacting with said first flap to retain the cuff thereon, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, a cover panel hingedly connected to one of the main panels and adapted to fold over the main panels when folded, and means for holding the cover panel in overlying relation with respect to the folded main panels.

13. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a first flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the downturned cuff of a surgical glove, a second flap integrally formed on each of the tabs and projecting toward the common margin of the tab and the first flap, said second flap being hingedly connected to the tab between the hinged connection of the tab and main panel and the end of the first flap so that when the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove is placed on the first flap and the second fiap is thereafter placed within the hollow of the glove, the glove becomes securely but removably attached thereto, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, a cover panel hingedly connected to one of the main panels and adapted to fold over the main panels when folded, and means for holding the cover panel in overlying relation with respect to the folded main panels.

14. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a first flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove, a second flap integrally formed on each of the tabs and projecting toward the common margin of the tab and the first flap, said second flap being hingedly connected to the tab between the hinged connection of the tab and main panel and the end of the first flap and the hinged connection between the second flap and the tab being at least as wide as the end of the first flap so that when the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove is placed on the first flap and the second flap is thereafter placed within the hollow of the glove, the glove becomes securely but removably attached thereto, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, a cover panel hingedly connected to one of the main panels and adapted to fold over the main panels when folded, and means for holding the cover panel in overlying relation with respect to the folded main panels.

15. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a first flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove, a second flap integrally formed on each of the tabs and projecting toward the common margin of the tab and the first flap, said second flap being hingedly connected to the tab between the hinged connection of the tab and main panel and the end of the first flap and the hinged connection between the second flap and the tab being at least as wide as the end of the first flap so that when the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove is placed on the first flap and the second flap is thereafter placed Within the hollow of the glove, the glove becomes securely but removably attached thereto, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, a cover panel hingedly connected to one of the main panels along a margin which opposes and is parallel to the central margin, each of the main panels being substantially equal in width and the cover panel being slightly wider than either of the main panels, and a narrow panel hingedly connected to the cover panel along one of its margins and adapted to fold over the folded main panels when the cover panel is folded thereover, whereby to retain the folder in a compact condition.

16. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a first flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove, a second flap integrally formed on each of the tabs and projecting toward the common margin of the tab and the first flap, said second flap being hingedly connected to the tab between the hinged connection of the tab and main panel and the end of the the first flap and the hinged connection between the second flap and the tab being at least as wide as the end of the first flap so that when the downturned cufi of a surgical glove is placed on the first flap and the second flap is thereafter placed within the hollow of the glove, the glove becomes securely out removably attached thereto, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, a cover panel hinged- 1y connected to one of the panels along a margin which opposes and is parallel to the central margin, each of the main panels being substantially equal in width and the cover panel being slightly wider than either of the main panels, and a narrow panel hingedly connected to the cover panel along a margin which opposes and is parallel to the hinged connection between the cover panel and the main panels, said narrow panel being adapted to fold over the folded main panels when the cover panel is folded thereover, whereby to retain the folder in a compact con dition.

17. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a first flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the downturned cuff of a surgical glove, a second flap integrally formed on each of the tabs and projecting toward the common margin of the tab and the first flap, said second flap being hingedly connected to the tab between the hinged connection of the tab and main panel and the end of the first flap so that when the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove is placed on the first flap and the second flap is thereafter placed within the hollow of the glove, the glove becomes securely but removably attached thereto, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded ove the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, tab means hingedly connected to the said other main panel in spaced relation from the glove for unfolding the main panels when the folder and gloves are in a sterile condition, a cover panel hingedly connected to one of the main panels and adapted to fold over the main panels when folded, and means for holding the cover panel in overlying relation with respect to the folded main panels.

18. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a first fiap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and the main panel, said flap being sized for snugly engaging the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove, a second flap integrally formed on each of the tabs and projecting toward the common margin of the tab and the first flap, said second flap being hingedly connected to the tab between the hinged connection of the tab and main panel and the end of the first flap so that when the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove is placed on the first flap and the second flap is thereafter placed within the hollow of the glove, the glove becomes securely but removably attached thereto, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the oher main panel, a tab hingedly connected to one corner of the said other main panel in spaced relation from the glove for unfolding the main panels when the folder and gloves are in a sterile condition, a cover panel hingedly connected to one of the main anels and adapted to fold over the main panels when folded, and means for holding the cover panel in overlying relation with respect to the folded main panels.

l9. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said'main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a fiap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and main panel for holding the down-turned cuff of a surgical glove securely thereon, a secondary flap die-cut from said tab and projecting away from the hinged connection between the tab and main panels, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, and covering means for holding the main panels in folded relation.

20. A package for surgical gloves comprising a folder made of cardboard, heavy paper, or the like, and including two main panels which are hingedly connected along a central margin, said main panels being foldable one upon the other along said central margin, each of said main panels being provided along one of its margins with a tab which is hingedly connected thereto, a flap hingedly connected to each of the tabs and projecting toward the hinged connection between the tab and main panels for holding the down-turned cufi of a surgical glove securely thereon, a secondary flap die-cut from said tab and projecting away from the hinged connection between the tab and main panels, said tabs being folded back over opposite sides of the main panels so that when the main panels are folded over the back of one main panel will contact the glove on the other main panel, said tabs being located along a common margin of the folder, and covering means for holding the main panels in folded relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,936,076 Unsinger Nov. 21, 1933 2,915,173 Langdon Dec. 1, 1959 2,936,881 Fulton May 17, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,724 Great Britain 1910 

